The Importance of Fruit and Vegetable Juices in Nutrition

d="body">made of 50% water; and cereals like rice and
A man's health is a very important aspect of hisoats, which can contain as much as 35% water.
life. To say that "health is wealth" is not only toFruit juices, on the other hand, have been
utter an old, used up mantra, but to mean thatscientifically proven to give certain health benefits,
for most human beings, staying fit and healthy isprovided that they are taken in moderation.
parallel to being wealthy, for a person's everydayNutritionists also suggest that fruit juices should be
life is influenced mainly by the state of his mindtaken in their pure state, and people should only
and body, especially by the presence and absencedrink 100% fruit juice. Cranberry juice is believed
of certain diseases.to prevent urinary tract infections; grape juice is
Many people go through various efforts to staybelieved to lower the chances of blood clots in the
fit, maintain good health, and ensure theirheart; and orange juice is believed to prevent
longevity. Examples of these practices includestroke and reduce the risk of heart attacks.
engaging in rigorous physical fitness training, eatingThough these popular beliefs have no scientific
a balanced and healthy diet, maintaining idealbasis to their therapeutic claims, most scientists
weight, and employing an effective stresssay that many fruit juices are indeed healthy to
management procedure. It is also important todrink. Pure orange juice, for example, is very rich
stop smoking, reduce alcohol intake, and avoid thein Vitamin C, potassium, and folic acid. Other fruit
use of prohibited substances.juices that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and
Poor health can be caused by a host of differentanthocynanins (water soluble pigments found in
factors, such as poor eating habits, lack ofplants which act as antioxidants) include grape
exercise, stress, and excessive smoking andjuice (purple), pomegranate juice, and cranberry
alcohol intake. Unbalanced intake of nutrients, forjuice. It is believed that juices that are made from
one, may cause excessive or deficient nutrientfruits with rich colors such as grapes,
intake, which will definitely affect the body'spomegranates, cranberries, and blueberries are
normal functions. These nutrients are necessaryrich in vitamins and antioxidants. New juices from
for a person's growth, metabolism, and otherblack currants and Tahitian noni have also found
functions. There are about six nutrients, which aretheir way in the international market.
needed by the human body in different amountsRecent scientific studies have also claimed that
to perform its various processes. These are:the antioxidants found in most fruits and
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, or nutrientsvegetable juices can help lower a person's risks of
that are known to provide energy to the body;developing Alzheimer's disease. Antioxidants are
and minerals, vitamins, and water, or thosenaturally occurring substances found in most
nutrients that support the body's metabolism.plants and have the potential to help combat
Water, the last nutrient in the list, is sometimesheart diseases and fight cancer.
called the forgotten nutrient, but it is consideredFreshly squeezed juices from fruits and
as the most important. Water is necessary forvegetables are excellent sources of minerals and
the body's growth and metabolic processes. Itvitamins which catalyze chemical reactions
runs through the blood and lymphatic system,occurring in the body. These enzymes also
carries oxygen and distributes nutrients to theproduce the energy needed for digestion,
cells, and rids the body of toxins and wastes inabsorption, and conversion of food into body
the form of urine and sweat. If water and itstissues. An increased intake of fruit and vegetable
other liquid substitutes are not present in thejuices ensures that the body will efficiently absorb
human diet, food digestion, nutrient absorption,more minerals and vitamins.
and waste excretion would be impossible.Another helpful benefit of fruits and fruit juices is
The human body is made up of two-thirds water.their ability to promote detoxification in the human
It needs eight to ten glasses of water orbody. Fruits help to cleanse the body, especially
caffeine- and alcohol-free liquids to replace thethose with high acid levels. Tomatoes, pineapples,
water it loses during the day. The body's need forand citruses such as oranges, red grapefruits, and
water is satisfied by the intake of other drinkinglemons are known for their detoxifying properties.
liquids free from caffeine and alcohol, such asWhile these fruits promote cleansing, they still
juices; fruits and vegetables, which are made ofprovide the body with a high boost of Vitamin C!
80 to 95% water; meat products, which are